The World Boxing Council has confirmed to Sky Sports, that heavyweight contender Dillian Whyte has taken legal action against them - to enforce his mandatory shot at WBC world champion Tyson Fury.
Whyte, who holds the WBC's interim-title, has been the number one contender under the sanctioning body since 2018.
Last year, the WBC issued an order which guaranteed Whyte a mandatory shot at the full title by the end of February 2021.
Fury captured the title in February, when he stopped Deontay Wilder in seven rounds.
Wilder exercised an immediate rematch clause, which forces a trilogy fight. The third bout with Fury is being targeted for dates in November and December.
Fury has expressed very little interest in facing Whyte.
Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum, who co-promotes Fury, has made it clear that he doesn't see much value in having his star fighter face Whyte.
Arum recently told Sky Sports that he was planning to have a conversation with the WBC, to further delay or even eliminate Whyte's mandated shot - explaining to the sanctioning body that the ongoing coronavius pandemic had placed the entire sport on hold for several months.
Most of talk from Fury and Arum has centered on their intention to finalize a two-fight deal for 2021 with IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO champion Anthony Joshua.
Should Fury defeat Wilder, their plan is to go directly to a Joshua fight - and a two-fight series in 2021 would delay Whyte's shot until 2022 at the earliest.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman was unable to comment on the legal matter.
"There is a procedure with regards to the date of the mandatory in the heavyweight division. Upon direct advice of WBC legal counsel I am not in position to discuss any further," Sulaiman told Sky Sports.
There is a possibility that Whyte could be handed the WBC title without ever stepping foot in the ring. The WBC could make Fury their 'Franchise' champion while elevating Whyte to the status of full champion.
